My Account

Statistics

Nationalism : an obstacle in Sino-Japanese relation

Author

Lim, Cherie Ying Wei

Date of Issue

2018-02-08

School

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Abstract

After more than 70 years since the end of World War II, China and Japan still face problems in resolving their historical tensions. This paper examines the reasons behind the longevity in these historical tensions, and concludes that Chinese nationalism is behind it. Through the study if both the controversial Yasukuni Shrine and Diaoyu or Senkaku Islands, the paper exemplifies the use of Chinese nationalism by the Chinese Communist Party during its turbulent days so to maintain its legitimacy. However, the paper argues that Chinese nationalism cannot be sustained without the presence of Japanese nationalism. Given the nature of both nationalism are against each other, Chinese nationalism consistently have opportunities to drum up their nationalism in the face of Japanese nationalism. Not only that, this paper contends further by acknowledging the growing autonomy of Chinese nationalism, one that the government may find it hard to control and command easily anymore. With all these in mind, accompanied by a changing political landscape, the paper believes that the tensions will not only remain unresolved, but has escalated over time.